Mechanic&#39;s seat and step stool

ABSTRACT

A combination step stool and mechanic&#39;s seat in the form of a molded plastic, generally parallelepiped configuration includes a seat on one side supported on casters on the opposite side with a step stool surface adjacent the backside of the seat and spaced from a front side surface of the seat which includes a recess tray for tools and other items.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 11/511,018 filed Aug. 28, 2006 entitled Mechanic's Seat and Step Stool, which is a continuation in part of Ser. No. 10/921,507 filed Aug. 19, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,097,241, which is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 10/444,228 filed May 23, 2003, abandoned, entitled Mechanic's Seat and Step Stool which was a utility application based upon and derived from prior provisional application Ser. No. 60/383,206 filed May 24, 2002 for “Mechanic's Seat and Step Stool” each application being incorporated herewith by reference and for which priority is claimed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a principal aspect, the present invention relates to a molded work seat which may also be utilized as a low-rise step stool.

When a worker, such as a mechanic, tradesman, or the like is required to assume a seated position in order to perform repair work, the use of a chair may not be convenient or adequate. That is, a typical chair, for example, a folding chair, may have a seat which is elevated relative to the work area. Additionally, such a chair is difficult to move from one place to another. Finally, such a chair typically will not include a means for storage of tools for easy access while using the chair or seat.

An alternative to a chair is a stool such as a three-legged stool which can be moved from place to place. A stool will typically have many of the disadvantages associated with a chair including the further disadvantage that there is no lateral or back support when sitting on a stool.

Another alternative is to utilize a creeper seat. Such a seat typically includes a metal frame mounted on a platform which, in turn, is mounted on rollers. The seat is supported by the metal frame. The rollers enable ease of movement of the creeper seat. The platform upon which the frame is mounted allows storage of tools thereon for ease of access. Lisle Corporation, Clarinda, Iowa, has marketed such seats as their Product Nos. 98302 and 98702.

Such chairs, seats and stools are either cumbersome or have other disadvantages as discussed above. Thus, there has remained a need for an improved seat construction which can be used by a mechanic or other work person and which desirably has alternative utility.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention comprises a molded polymeric, step stool and seat which is in the form of a six-sided, rectangular parallelepiped and includes a first wall having casters and a second opposite side wall with a molded work seat. A third transverse sidewall connecting the top edge of the first and second walls defines a flat planar step surface. A fourth transverse wall is generally parallel to and spaced from the third wall and connects the lower edge of the first and second walls defines a floor support surface including optional floor support pads to prevent skidding of the device when it serves as a step stool. The fourth wall may also include a recess shelf for storage of tools and implements. In an additional embodiment, the first wall may include a molded step below the level of the third wall to facilitate stepping to the third wall step surface.

Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide a combination step stool and creeper seat.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a molded polymeric combination step stool and creeper seat which is lightweight, economical, and rugged.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a combination mechanic's step stool and creeper seat which includes a shelf for storage of tools and implements when the device is oriented or positioned as a mechanic's seat.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a mechanic's creeper seat which may be mounted on casters for ease of mobility.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the detailed description which follows, the drawing is comprised of the following figures:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an alternative isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment having an intermediate step for the step stool feature of the device;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of another alternative embodiment of the combination seat and step stool wherein the device is oriented for use as a seat;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the seat configuration of FIG. 4 as viewed from the front side or forward side of the seat illustrating in detail the recess shelf for tools and implements;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the seat configuration of FIG. 4 as viewed from the opposite side of the seat depicted in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the device of FIG. 4 wherein the device has been positioned so as to serve as a step stool;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the device of FIG. 4 taken substantially along the line 8-8;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view illustrating another alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the underside of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged isometric view of a caster attached to the embodiment of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view depicting a step in construction of the caster attachment feature during the manufacturing process for the embodiment of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of a subsequent sequential step to the step depicted in FIG. 12 in the formation of the corner adapted for receipt of a caster for the embodiment of FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of an alternate method of attaching a caster to a corner of an injection or blow molded product which alternate method is deemed to be generally undesirable;

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 14 further illustrating the method;

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of a molded plastic body of an alternative embodiment of the invention comprised of a generally parallelepiped assembly;

FIG. 17 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 16 with the addition of separate metal support legs;

FIG. 18 is an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 17 in combination with an insertable shelf assembly;

FIG. 19 is an isometric view of the insertable shelf assembly associated with the embodiment of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a front view of the shell assembly of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 19;

FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 19 taken along the line 21-21 in FIG. 20, depicting the retention mechanism used to maintain the assembly of FIG. 19 in combination with the generally parallelepiped assembly comprising the step stool;

FIG. 23 is an exploded isometric view of a caster assembly; and

FIG. 24 is a cross sectional view of the fastening construction for the legs taken along the line 24-24 in FIG. 17.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates a combination mechanic's seat or stool and step stool. The combination is preferably manufactured from a plastic material such as polypropylene formed by blow molding, a rotational mold process, injection molding, or other molding process. The overall general configuration is that of a parallelepiped, in particular, a rectangular parallelepiped. The molded device may have inclined sides formed with draft angles to facilitate the molding process as well as to improve the aesthetics, balance and utility of the product.

Referring to FIG. 1, the device is depicted to function as a step stool. FIG. 2 illustrates the device oriented to function as a creeper or mechanic's seat mounted on rollers or casters. When the item is utilized as a step stool, as in FIG. 1, a top face 10 includes a serrated or patterned surface to prevent slippage. A non-skid pad (not shown) may also be affixed to surface 10. Thus, top surface 10 is a generally flat, planar surface generally parallel to and spaced from a bottom or lower surface 12.

A first side surface 14 includes a series of casters or wheels 16 arranged at the four corners of the first side face or side surface 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the side opposite the first side surface 14 comprises a second side surface 17 with a recessed seat 18 molded or formed therein. The recessed seat 18 includes parallel, spaced side ribs 20 and 22 which reinforce the unit. A back support 19 is molded between ribs 20, 22. End surfaces 24 and 26 on the second or bottom surface 12 includes non-skid pads 25, 27, 32, 34. The pads 25, 27, 32, 34 prevent slippage of the device when used as a step stool as depicted in FIG. 1.

Bottom or third side surface 12 is generally parallel to top surface 10 and also includes a first corner support pad 32 and a second corner support pad 34 so that the surface 12 includes four corner pads 25, 27, 32, 34 which facilitate support of the stool as depicted in FIG. 1 as a step stool.

As depicted in FIG. 1 when the combination seat and stool is oriented so that the pads 25, 27, 32 and 34 are positioned on the floor, the support surface 10 is elevated above the floor. A person may thus step upon the support surface 10 and thereby utilize the device as a step stool.

The surface 12 also includes a recessed section 38 beneath the seat 18. The recessed section 38 includes a generally flat shelf 40 for placement of tools and other items to be used by the mechanic who is sitting in the seat 18 and wishes to reach between his/her legs to have access to a tool. As shown in FIG. 2, when sitting on the seat 18, a mechanic may easily move by virtue of the casters 16 engaging a floor surface.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein the stool is positioned as a step stool and a middle step 50 is formed in the side surface 14. The middle step 50 thus is positioned between two casters 16 and enables the user to ascend to the top surface 10 more easily. The top surface 10 is subscribed by side or parallel ribs or ridges 52 and 54 which provide the user of the step stool an indication that they are approaching the side edges of the stool. It is also possible to include such a rib or ridge along the other surfaces or edges of the step stool.

FIGS. 4-8 illustrate another alternative embodiment of the invention. A first or lower or bottom wall 49 is constructed to receive casters 51 positioned at the four corners of the bottom wall 49. A second opposite sidewall 55 includes lateral molded arm supports 56 and 58 with an intermediate connecting seat 60 and a back support section 62. The back support section includes a hand hold opening 64 to facilitate carrying or movement of the device. A third wall 66 connects the bottom wall 49 and the top wall 55 and provides a step surface 66 as shown in FIG. 7. The step surface 66 includes lateral ribs 68 and 70 which define the opposite sides of the step surface 66 to indicate side margins to a user of the step surface. A fourth wall 72 is bifurcated into an upper wall section 74 and a lower wall section 76. The upper wall section 74 defines the outer margin of the seat 60. A recess tray 78 is formed in the wall 72 between the sections 74 and 76. A recess bore 80 is defined in the back wall 82 of the tray 78 to enhance structural integrity of the seat and step stool construction. Non-skid pads, such as pad 84, may be installed at the corners of the surface 72 so that when the step stool is in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 7, that it will be precluded from skidding undesirably. Opposite end surfaces 90 and 92 of the generally parallelepiped structure form the outer margins and connecting panels which join the other described surfaces of the generally parallelepiped structure comprising the seat and step stool.

FIGS. 9-13 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 14 and 15 are provided for purposes of comparison with the method of manufacture of the stool assembly of FIGS. 9-13. That is, the embodiment of FIGS. 9-13 is a preferred embodiment. FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate an embodiment of a caster construction for a stool which is not preferred.

Referring therefore to FIGS. 9 and 10, the step stool construction has the same general configuration as associated with the prior embodiments. Thus, a base 100 is generally in the form of a rectangular planar member. Casters 102, 104 106 and 108 are affixed to the base 100 at the respective corners thereof. A lateral side 110 extends generally vertically upward from the base 100 and terminates with an upper cross member 112 including a handhold 114 therein. A first generally vertical side panel 116 is in opposed, spaced relation to a second opposite side panel 118. A top side 120 opposite the base 100 comprises a seat with side supports 122 and 124. The front side 121 of the step stool opposite the rear or backside 110 is comprised of four support projections 130, 132, 134 and 136. A pocket 138 is formed in the front side wall 121. The embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10 is therefore substantially similar to that depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example.

A caster assembly 140 is provided at each of the four corners of the base 100. Caster assembly 140 includes a wheel 142 mounted on an axle 144 retained in a wheel housing 146 which is attached to a stem 148 in FIG. 13. The stem 148 is rotatably connected to the wheel housing 144 by means of an appropriate raceway 150. Retention spring 152 is retained in a recessed groove 154 defined in the stem 148 enabling the stem 148 to be engaged with and locked into a bushing retained in the molded plastic housing comprising the step stool. Each of the casters 140 thus are rotatably mounted on a stem 148 and positioned appropriately in bushings molded into or retained at the four corners of the stool.

As previously indicated, a preferred method of manufacture of such a molded plastic stool is by blow molding techniques. However, other molding techniques may be utilized in order to manufacture the stool. Thus, the stool is comprised of a molded plastic material, such as HDPE forming a wall such as the wall 160 in FIGS. 12 and 13. In FIGS. 12 and 13 the wall 160 is a continuous molded plastic wall including a base wall 100 and a vertical back side wall 110. During the molding process, a shaft 164 is engaged with the wall 110 after the molded product is initially formed but while the wall material is still pliable to thereby define a recessed counterbore 166 having an end wall 168 and a lateral side wall 170 as depicted in FIG. 12. Subsequently, a caster bushing 172 which is mounted on a pin associated with the blow molding equipment or rotational molding equipment is inserted through the pliable bottom or lower wall 100 so that the bushing 172 will be entirely retained within a counterbore 176. The counterbore 176 includes a peripheral wall 180 which surrounds and locks to the bushing 172. Further, there is included an upper or top connecting wall 182 which fuses with the wall 170 depicted in FIG. 12. Fusing of the walls 182 and 170 lends significant structural support to the retained bushing 172 and thus when a caster stem 148 is inserted into the bushing 172 the wheel assembly is well supported and will not fail. Note the bushing 172 includes a hollow passage 188 adapted to receive the caster stem 148. Further included is a groove 190 adapted to receive and lock the stem 148 due to the engagement of the spring member 152 with the groove 190. Thus, as depicted in the figures, each caster assembly is attached in a manner which provides sufficient structural integrity needed to support the weight of a person, for example, on the step stool. The attachment may be supplemented by fasteners, such as screws, which fasten a flange of the caster bushing.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate an alternative method of insertion of a bushing 172 in a molded plastic wall. After the bottom wall 100 and the back wall 110 are formed, bushing 172 is inserted or projected into the wall 100 as depicted in FIG. 14. The resulting configuration depicted in FIG. 15 does not have the structural integrity, however, needed to maintain the wheel housing properly in the position represented by the axis 196. The embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13, however, accomplishes the desired result of maintaining the wheel including the bushing 172 and the wheel assembly 140 in a desired orientation and position.

FIGS. 16-24 illustrate a further embodiment of the invention. In this alternative embodiment, a rectangular parallelepiped stool assembly is utilized in combination with a bucket shaped shelf assembly which may be inserted into and incorporated with the stool assembly. In other words, the step stool is a combination of the rectangular parallelepiped assembly generally as previously described with a separate, molded shelf assembly that is snap fitted through an opening cut into the molded, six sided stool assembly. Also, metal reinforcing legs 500, 502 are combined with the molded stool assembly.

Thus, as depicted in FIGS. 16, 17 and 18, a generally rectangular parallelepiped stool assembly 400 is combined with a shelf assembly 402. The shelf assembly 402 snap fits into a side, namely a third side, of the parallelepiped step stool assembly 400. The step stool assembly 400 is formed, for example, by a blow molding technique from a plastic material. In this manner, the six sides of the generally rectangular parallelepiped form are completely formed and include a front side panel 401 which subsequent to the formation of the step stool assembly 400 is cut out or removed to reveal a peripheral rim 403. The removal of the generally rectangular panel 401 provides access to the interior of the hollow step stool assembly 400. It has been found to be commercially practical to utilize a blow molding technique to create the entire molded assembly 400 and then remove the panel 401. Subsequently, tubular metal legs 500, 502 are attached to opposite side walls of molded assembly 400. A bucket or shelf insert 402 may be positioned within the interior of the stool assembly 400 as previously described.

The shelf assembly or insert 402 is depicted in greater detail in FIGS. 19-22. The shelf assembly 402 is in the form of a five sided bucket with an open front side 404. One lateral side of the bucket provides a lower shelf 406. A groove 408 along a lower edge 409 with hooks 410 and 412 along the upper edge enables the shelf assembly 402 to be snap fitted into an opening 414 defined between an upper wall section 416 and a lower wall section 418 in the third side 420 of the parallelepiped stool assembly 400 depicted in FIGS. 16 and 17. The upper and lower wall sections 416 and 418 are generally parallel or aligned with one another, thus facilitating the insertion of the bucket or shelf assembly 402. This construction provides additional structural integrity for the stool 400 and also simplifies the molding process that is involved for manufacture of the stool.

The remaining figures including FIGS. 23 and 24 depict features relating to the attachment of legs 500, 502 to the molded plastic assembly 400. Referring to FIGS. 17, 18, 23 and 24 there is disclosed separate tubular metal legs 500, 502 combined with the molded step stool assembly of 400. Specifically, the step stool assembly depicted includes a first or bottom wall 460, an opposite top wall 462 which defines a seat and comprises a second wall, a third back side wall 464 which comprises a step or step stool construction with a handle section 466 along one edge or side thereof, a fourth wall 468 from which the section 401 has been removed, a fifth side wall 470 and an opposite sixth side wall 472. The walls in combination form a generally rectangular parallelepiped configuration or assembly 400. The fourth wall comprises an opening 414 into which the bucket 402 is inserted. However, prior to insertion of the bucket, leg assemblies 500 and 502 are affixed to the fifth and sixth walls, respectively. The leg assemblies 500 and 502 are substantially identical and are attached respectively to opposite sides 470 and 472. Each leg assembly 500 and 502 comprises a generally U-shaped metal tube which is formed by bending, for example, a tube having a generally square cross sectional. The U-shaped tube includes a first run or section 504 which terminates with an attached first caster 506 and joins to a horizontal run or section 508 which, in turn, is connected to another vertical run or section 510 that terminates with a second caster 512. Each of the leg members 500 and 502 is substantially identical in configuration and construction. Thus, a description of the leg member 500 is equally applicable to the leg member 502 attached to the sixth wall 472.

The leg member 500 is attached to the wall 470 by means of fasteners, for example, as depicted in FIG. 24. Thus, a fastener 520 fits through the tube 500 and the wall 470 where it further passes through a washer 522 and is held in place by an attached nut 524. The washer 522 helps spread the load of the attachment mechanism so that the molded plastic wall 470 will be retained between the side of the leg member 500 and the washer 522. The leg member 500 thus terminates with the fitting 524 welded thereto. A first caster 526 is then inserted into the fitting to provide a wheeled construction as depicted.

In any event, a number of fasteners 520 are used to attach the vertical runs 504 and 510 to the side wall 470. In this manner the side wall 470 as well as the side wall 472 are reinforced. The U-shaped legs 500 and 502 also provide impact protection for the side walls 470 and 472. The assembly 400 may be pivoted so that it may sit upon pads, such as pads 530, 532, 534 and 536 to thereby support the assembly and in the form of a step stool. Of course, as depicted in FIG. 17 for example, the assembly is moveable on the casters 506 and 512. A mechanic or technician may then sit in the seat in the wall 462 and inasmuch as the bucket 402 is positioned in the opening 414, the technician may reach into the bucket 402 and grip tools or the like which are stored therein.

The various embodiments can be made by means of a blow molding process or another thin wall or relatively thin wall plastic molding process. When manufacturing certain embodiments of such a product using blow molding techniques, the plastic material which is utilized in the process will initially be adequately soft to permit the insertion of sub-assemblies, shafts and bushings as described above.

Thus, variations from the embodiments are considered within the scope of the invention which is limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof. 

1. A combination step stool and seat comprising: a six sided, unitary, hollow, single molded plastic, generally rectangular parallelepiped assembly of walls including a first side wall, an opposed second side wall with a molded seat, said seat including a back support section with a hand grip passage, a transverse third side wall between the first side wall and second side walls, said third side wall comprising a generally flat, planar step surface with said back support section along one side thereof, a transverse fourth side wall spaced from and generally parallel to the third wall for support of said combination assembly as a step stool, said first wall being positionable over the floor to define a creeper with a molded seat supported on the molded second side wall, said fourth wall being positionable at the floor in an alternative orientation of said assembly to define said step stool, said fourth wall comprising an upper wall section, a spaced lower wall section with an opening through the fourth wall to the interior of the assembly of wall, and opposed fifth and sixth generally planar spaced walls joined to the first, second, third and fourth walls; a separate molded recess shelf section in the form of a five sided bucket, said recess shelf wall section mounted to the fourth wall and comprising a bucket shaped insert with an open side open outwardly from the fourth wall, the open side including a rim fitted into the opening in the fourth wall and generally aligned with the upper and lower wall sections of the fourth wall; and casters mounted to the assembly of walls for maintaining the first wall elevated above a floor.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the second wall includes arm support sections on each side of the molded seat extending from the back support section along the edge of the seat.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the first wall includes a molded step.
 4. The combination of claim 1 including first and second separate leg support members attached respectively to the fifth and sixth walls, said leg support members including said casters.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said leg support members comprise a first U-shaped bar member attached to the outside face of the fifth wall and a second U-shaped bar member to the outside face of the sixth wall, said U-shaped bar members generally congruent each including elongate sections positioned along outer margins of the fifth and sixth walls.
 6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the front and second leg support members are attached by fasteners respectively to the fifth and sixth walls.
 7. A combination step stool and seat comprising: a six sided, unitary, hollow, single molded plastic, generally rectangular parallelepiped assembly of walls including a first side wall, an opposed second side wall with a molded seat, said seat including a back support section with a hand grip passage, a transverse third side wall between the first side wall and second side walls, said third side wall comprising a generally flat, planar step surface with said back support section along one side thereof, a transverse fourth side wall spaced from and generally parallel to the third wall for support of said combination assembly as a step stool, said first wall being positionable over the floor to define a creeper with a molded seat supported on the molded second side wall, said fourth wall being positionable at the floor in an alternative orientation of said assembly to define said step stool, said fourth wall comprising an upper wall section, a spaced lower wall section with an opening through the fourth wall to the interior of the assembly of wall, and opposed fifth and sixth generally planar walls joined to the first, second, third and fourth walls; a separate molded recess shelf section in the form of a five sided bucket, said recess shelf wall section mounted to the fourth wall and comprising a bucket shaped insert with an open side open outwardly from the fourth wall, the open side including a rim fitted into the opening in the fourth wall and generally aligned with the upper and lower wall sections of the fourth wall; and first and second separate leg support members attached respectively to the fifth and sixth walls said leg support members including casters, said leg support members each comprising a U-shaped bar member attached to the outside face of the fifth wall and a second U-shaped bar member attached to the outside face of the sixth wall, said U-shaped bar members generally congruent including elongate sections positioned along outer margins of the fifth and sixth walls.
 8. The stool and seat of claim 7 wherein said first and second bar members are substantially identical and each comprise connected runs positioned along the outer margins of the fifth and sixth side walls, respectively. 